2017 BMW i8 Gallery

BMW’s i8 may look like it should have a V6 or V8 at the very least under the eye-catching bodywork, but this is a very different sportscar. BMW’s high-end hybrid, it pairs a relatively tiny, 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor, combining both for all-wheel drive. It’s a strange setup, but then again this is a pretty strange car.

The exterior is drama personified, though this single-color model hides some of the more unusual angles and cutaways. Lighter finishes go in the opposite direction, highlighting the aerodynamic trills. The gullwing doors add suitable drama, assuming you don’t fall over in the parking lot trying to slide over the broad sill.

On the road, though, is where it gets interesting. The i8 isn’t going to upset a keen Audi R8 or Acura NSX driver, but it’s a nimble grand tourer that can still drive up to 15 miles on electric power alone. It might not be everyone’s idea of what a supercar should consist of, but it’s an interesting riff on the topic all the same.